Abel Ricardo A. Macas
Senior QA/QC Inspector | Welding Inspector | NDT Supervisor | Energy and Industrial Project Specialist (Oil & Gas, Civil Construction)
With over 42 years of professional experience, including more than 21 years dedicated to mechanical engineering in high-stakes sectors like Oil & Gas, I am a highly qualified professional specializing in structural integrity and industrial compliance. I have a proven track record in QA/QC inspection and welding supervision at major facilities, including GALP’s Sines Refinery and Chevron’s expansion projects. What sets me apart is the fusion of deep technical field expertise—encompassing welding techniques (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, etc.), Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and managing complex refinery shutdowns—with a forward-thinking technological mindset. I hold recent certifications in Cloud Computing, AI Essentials, and DevOps from IBM Academy, enabling me to bridge the gap between physical industrial operations and modern data-driven transformation (Industry 4.0). Key Expertise: Inspection & Supervision: Expert in visual and dimensional inspections, radiograph evaluation, and ensuring compliance with ASME, AWS, and ISO codes. Project Management: Skilled in planning and executing major engineering projects, backed by a diploma from the University of Leeds. Digital Transformation: Proficient in leveraging technology to optimize quality control processes, operational safety, and predictive maintenance.
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Languages
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Skills
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Certifications
Work Experience
Independent QA/QC Inspector & Consultant (Freelance)
Self-Employed · Strategic Partnerships with International Inspection Agencies
May 2025 — Apr 2026Portugal
- Conducting high-level mechanical and welding inspections as a freelancer for major European industrial projects in Central Portugal.
- Providing technical expertise for international clients, ensuring 100% compliance with ASME, API, and ISO standards during fabrication and assembly.
- Managing independent inspection schedules and delivering detailed technical reports to global coordination centers.
- I am currently developing two personal projects focused on the future of industrial quality:
- AI-Enhanced Quality Control: Researching and implementing Artificial Intelligence tools for predictive welding defect analysis and process optimization.
- Industrial Cybersecurity: Applying security protocols to protect technical data integrity and digital inspection reports in high-stakes environments.
- My goal is to bridge 21 years of field experience with cutting-edge technology to deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient industrial solutions.
Inspector QA/QC & Welding
Bilfinger Engineering
Nov 2024 — Jan 2025Belgium
- I Performed visual and dimensional inspections of welds, ensuring 100% compliance with ASME/AWS standards on over 700 connections.
- I Interpreted weld radiographs to identify discontinuities and defects, ensuring structural integrity.
- I Monitored and ensured compliance with Welding Procedures (EPS/WPS) and welder qualifications, strictly following ASME and AWS standards.
- I Implemented comprehensive quality control (QA/QC) throughout all phases of the welding process, from material preparation to final inspection.
- I Managed inspection documentation, including Non-Conformance Records (NCRs/NCRs) and repair tracking.
- Conducted over 200 inspections monthly, ensuring 98% compliance with industry standards and client specifications
- Monitored welding operations, achieving a 15% reduction in rework costs through proactive quality assurance measures
Engennering Supervisor of Mechanical Engineering
OCA Global
Apr2024 — Oct 2024Sines, Portugal
- I was hired to be assigned to the client company "Technip Energies, to carry out my duties as a Quality Control inspector at the GALP Refinery in Sines.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to optimize resource allocation, resulting in a 15% reduction in project expenses
Project Quality Manager
Technip Energies
Apr 2024 — Sep 2024Sines, Portugal
- Senior QA/QC Inspector & Welding Supervisor
- Major Turnaround (Shutdown) & Maintenance Projects
- Inspection & Supervision: Led and supervised all quality control activities related to welding, post-weld heat treatments (PWHT), painting, and duct insulation.
- Static Equipment Specialist: Performed critical inspections on Distillation Towers, high-pressure Heat Exchangers, and Blast Furnaces, ensuring structural integrity and compliance with international standards.
- Rotating Equipment & Piping: Oversaw inspections for centrifugal pumps and complex piping systems, managing both new installations and repairs.
- Testing & Compliance: Coordinated and witnessed Pressure Tests (Hydrostatic and Pneumatic) for ducts and vessels, ensuring zero-leakage tolerance and adherence to safety protocols.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Evaluated and validated NDT reports (Radiographic, Ultrasonic, Magnetic Particle, and Liquid Penetrant) to guarantee the quality of welds in critical refinery components.
- Technical Documentation: Managed non-conformance reports (NCRs), technical queries, and final data books for project handover, ensuring full traceability.
- Implemented quality assurance protocols, enhancing project compliance by 30% across multiple engineering teams
- Led cross-functional audits, resulting in a 25% reduction in non-conformities within a six-month period
Welding Supervisor
Vlassenroot Group
Oct 22 — Mar 2023Schwerte, Germany
- I implemented a welding methodology for mobile crane telescopes, reducing assembly time by 15% and reducing post-installation repairs by 20% due to improved weld quality, which improved customer service.
- Trained and mentored junior staff, improving their welding skills and efficiency by 25%
Welding inspector & QC/QC inspector
Freelancer
May 2020 — Oct 2022Portugal
- External inspector (freelance) for various industrial projects in Portugal.
- Performed technical inspections and quality control for multiple European clients in the energy and metal construction sectors.
- Responsible for verifying the conformity of manufacturing and mechanical assembly, ensuring compliance with international standards.
Welding Technology Technician |
Saipem
Jun 2019 — Mar 2020Serbia
- Responsible for the assembly, installation, and preparation of mobile welding stations and cabins. Managed electrical installations (48V to 400V) and gas decompression systems for orbital welding (PASSO). Performed quality control across the production line, including repair and maintenance of welding equipment and
- power generators. A great project and opportunity to advance in my carrier for Gazprom
Welding lnspector
Freelancer
Jun 2017 — May 2019Portugal
Welding lnspectior and Quality Control
Passer
Nov 2016 — May 2017Setubal, Portugal
- As a freelance Welding Quality Control Inspector, I participated in the project for the company Passer, responsible
- for the project for the company BHP Billiton. My role was to monitor the manufacture of a rotor for an industrial
- dryer in stainless steel and duplex steel with very high-quality requirements. The project lasted from November
- 2016 to the end of May 2017 inclusive. My scope of work included labor monitoring (focusing on assembly and
- welding), enforcing all procedures and WPS, as required by the client, as well as safety and hygiene standards at
- work.
- Reviewed and approved welding procedures, achieving a 30% reduction in rework costs through enhanced quality assurance practices
Welder/ Supervisor of weldind
Many companies
May 2006 — Nov 2016
- Welding Supervisor at lemants, Belgium 08/2016 - 10/2016
- Welding / NDT Supervisor / Foreman at Mc Gregor, UK 06/2016 - 07/2016
- Welding Supervisor at Heerema Marine Contractors, Netherlands 05/2015 - 06/2015
- Welding Supervisor/Foreman at lemants, Martine, Belgium 10/2014 - 01/2015
- SMAW Welder at Efatm-Serv. Manutençao Global ACE, Portugal 05/2014 - 06/2013
- Welding Supervisor at SAIPEM, Italy 10/2013 - 12/2013
- Own Bussines at Self-employed, Portugal 07/2011 - 08/2013
- MMA Welder (INOX) at Celbi, Refinary, Portugal 01/2011 - 04/2011
- Mig/Mag Welder at Mc GRATH GROUP, UK 09/2010 - 12/2010
- MMA and Mig/Mag Welder - Antwerp Ship Repair, Belgium 03/2010 - 05/2010
- MMA and Mig/Mag Welder - FABRICOM, Belgium 04/2009 - 07/2009
- Welding Supervisor at Van Laere NV, Belgium 06/2008 - 03/2009
- MMA WELDER - Antwerp Ship Repair NV, Belgium 05/2008 - 06/2008
- Team Leader of welding - KEPPEL VEROLME, Netherlands 03/2008 - 04/2008
- MIG/MAG welder - HEEREMA — Marine Contractor“s, Netherlands 02/2008 - 02/2008
- MMA Welder - Total, ABENER, France 11/2007 - 12/2007
- Welder — 111-135/6 - Oiltanking, Refinery, Belgium 08/2007- 10/2007
- Welder — 111-135/6 Keppel Verolme, Netherlands 07/2007 - 08/2007
- MMA and MIG/MAG welder - AMAL - Steel Constructions, Portugal 05/2006 - 06/2007
Skills
Inspection & SupervisionWelding inspectionQA/QC inspectorMechanical EngineeringPiping & ValvesNDT SupervisionASME StandardsAPI 510 / 570Pressure VesselsCommissioningQuality ManagementArtificial IntelligenceCybersecurityIndustry 4.0Project ManagementHSE ManagementFreelance ConsultingTechnical ReportingVendor SurveillanceAI-Enhanced Quality ControlDigital TransformationField SupervisionHSE & Quality Symbiosis
Education
Diploma, International Relations
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa
Diploma, Professional Diploma in Managing Major Engineering Projects
University of Leeds
Diploma, Artificial Intelligence Essentials
IBM Academy
Diploma
IBM Academy
Diploma, Introduction to DevOps
IBM Academy
Diploma, Introducing Corrosion Science and Engineering
The University of Manchester
Diploma, Ferrous Technology
Pohang University of Science and Technology
Diploma, A Look at Nuclear Science and Technology
University of Pittsburgh
Diploma, Energy 101 - all types of energies approach
Georgia Institute of Technology
Certificates
How to read P&ID, PFD & BFD used in Process Plant Like a Pro
Udemy
H2S
VHF TRAINING J
Work at Height
VHF TRAINING
Confined Spaces
VHF Training
Seveso Directive
VHF Training
ATEX Directive
VHF Training
Notions of hygien and safety at work - electricity and electronic
ISQ Academy
Electrical installations - generalities
ISQ Academy
Notions and quality standards 9001 and 14001
ISQ Academy
Environment, Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work
ISQ Academy
Traditional and Advanced techniques for nondestructive testing, Liquid Penetrant - Level I, I
ISQ Academy
Languages
portuguese
Native
English
Advanced
Spanish
Intermediate